There’s a growing trend of readers asking to stop hearing about Manchester United. No longer a big club, they say. Rubbish at football, they say quite reasonably. Many of them may even be United fans. But the fall of a giant will always be a story. Beyond wars, what story from the 20th century was bigger than the sinking of the Titanic? United continue to provide endless material, though free lunches for staff are no longer part of the deal. Certainly not rolls fruit only.
Recent reports highlight the latest cost-cutting measures taking place behind the scenes. The club’s new leadership is ensuring that every penny counts, making sure the little guy scrabbles for his coin. The modern billionaire model seems to follow a familiar pattern: only billionaires work hard, see. Pure hard work got them there never mind birthplace, opportunity, patronage, or sheer luck. Staff members worried about their jobs after seeing colleagues dismissed? That’s the idea. A tight ship must be run. Fear rules. No sharing of internal emails. No chewing gum. And, of course, no jokes unless they’re shared with the entire class.
The image of life at Old Trafford and Carrington now seems more Dickensian than what might be expected under a blue-chip billionaire, supposedly a hero of the modern business world. Just a decade ago, this leadership style was described as “friendly, collegiate, and free of politics.” Arrogance and bullying were supposedly unwelcome. But football has a way of changing even the most successful business minds. From being viewed as a savior when his minority ownership was confirmed, the current leadership is now compared to past figures who hollowed out clubs into little more than financial spreadsheets. All cuts, no glory.
Sharp practices look even worse when thrown into the public glare of the United soap opera. The club believes it will save £1m by ending free lunches. Meanwhile, hiring and parting ways with a key staff member within five months cost £4.1m. If it’s all about numbers, then such decisions paint a grim picture. While the new regime stumbles through its early days, the previous owners who were paid billions to step back continue to benefit. With 20 years of using United as a cash machine approaching, little appears to have changed in the club’s financial priorities.
Reports suggest that financial woes may extend beyond the football club, with signs of trouble at the broader business empire. Perhaps it’s time to consult the guiding principles that were once central to this leadership approach rigour, grit, and humour. Some words are celebrated: “northerners; work hard, play hard; wood for trees; hydrogen; a beer.” Others are despised: “moaners, quitters, gloating.” Maybe football just isn’t the right fit.
